Match-box



I (No Model.)

J. J. DUANE.

MATGH BOX.

No. 460,118. Patented Sept. 29, 1891.

01 5% l l A v Mmmm; '111111111111 n IlIUI hi l mtl 51,1011

HMH#

Wfjwsss zwaan/20@ Jam@ (Ilja/ana,

j 6MM/1%* VM" UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES J. DUANE, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT.

MATCH-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 460,118, dated September 29, 1891.

Application filed October 16, 1890.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, J AMES J. DUANE, of Hartford, in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Match-Boxes, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, whereby any one skilled in the art can make and use the same.

The object of my invention is to provide a receptacle in which matches may be stored and kept for use, so that in case the matches catch lire from any cause the flames will not extend outside of the box or safe nor be liable to communicate to surrounding objects.

To this end my invention consists in a metallic safe, box, or like receptacle adapted to hold a number of packages of matches, the receptacle being provided with a self-closing door and-having peculiar features of construction, as more particularly hereinafter de# scribed, and pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l is a view in front elevation of the box, showing the door open. Fig. 2 is a diagram view showing the sheet or blank from which the box is made. Fig. 3 is a detail view in horizontal section through the box.

In the accompanying drawings, the letter a denotes the box, that is formed from a blank made of sheet metal cut to proper shape, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. This blank is bent to form the box at the places indicated bythe dotted lines, the parts b, forming the sides of the box, being first bent up at right angles to the plane of the back of the box. The parts b are then bent inward at right angles to the parts b, a small space being left between the inner ends of the parts b. The ears b2 are then bent outwardly to form loops h3. The parts c are then bent upward at right angles to the plane of the back of the box, and the integral clamps c are then folded over the parts b', clamping the four sides of the box lirmly together.

A partition may be formed for the box by cutting out a blank of sheet metal of a width not greater than the height of the box, the length of this piece being slightly greater than the length of the box. A slit is then cut in each end of this strip and running lengthwise of the same, the distance between the inner ends of the slit being equal to the Serial No. 368,301- (No model.)

length of the box. The portions on each side of these slits at each end of the piece are then bent in opposite directions and at right angles to the plane of the blank, forming footpieces, and these foot-pieces can then be inserted in the channel formed between the ears c and between the ends of the box and the integral flanges b', thus holding the par- 6o tition firmly in place.

On the back of the box, or in any other oonvenient place, there is formed a hook-socket h. This socket is formed,preferably, by cutting two slits in the box ashort distance from each other, leaving a central strap, which is bent outward to forni the hook; but any other kind of a hook maybe used by which the box may be hung up, as on a bracket.

The cover of the box is formed from a blank 7o cut to suitable shape from sheet metal and in a manner similar to that in which the box is formed. This blank is of rectangular shape, having a small square piece cut from each corner, the metal between these spaces being 7 5 bent down at right angles to the plane of the blank, forming a flange that fits closely .about the outside of the box when the cover is closed down. On the piece that is to form the ange for the back of the cover are out ear-pieces 8o that are bent to form loops in a manner similar to that in which the loops on the box were formed, the loops on the box and on the cover being formed so that the hole through the loops shall be in line with each other, and the 8 5 rod e is then inserted through these loops,

forming the hinge for the cover and box.

This hinge is provided with the coil-spring f,

or other suitable springs may be used, that serves to keepthe cover of the box closed at 9o all times when not in use, thus avoiding any danger from fire should the matches in the box become ignited from any cause.

On the outside of the box a, preferably on the cover, there is` secured a small box g for holding a small quantity of matches that may be taken from the packages within the larger' box. This small box is constructed in a manner similar to that in which the box and cover are formed, being bent to shape from a blank roo out to the proper form from sheet metal.. On the lback of this box and integral with it are several projections, part of which are passed through holes made in the cover of the large box and bent over and fastened on the inside to hold the safe in place on the cover, the

other projections being bent upward and passed through holesformed near the edge of the cover for the box g and bent over to form a hinge to loosely support the cover, which is kept closed by gravity or by a spring, if desired.

A match-box constructed as above described provides a convenient and safe receptacle for the storage of matches, it being easily accessible when matches are required for use, and should they become ignited from any cause the llames cannot communicate to any out- Side object, as the box, having no soldered joints to give Way, will remain intact, and the cover, being constructed as described, will always remain closed under the impulse of the spring and cannot be left open by any carelessness when not in use.

I claim as 1nyinvention- A l. As an improved article of manufacture, a sheet-metal box folded to shape, secured by integral clips, the channels between the ends of the folds on opposite Walls of the box, and the metallic partition with the projecting legs engaging the said channels, all substantially as described. l

2. A sheet-metal box formed of one piece folded to shape and secured by integral clips, a door hinged to the box, a spring operating to close the door, a partition within the b'ox, a box on the door provided with a cover adapted to be closed by gravity, and a hook-socket on the wall of the box, all substantially as described.

JAMES J. DUANE. NVitiiesses:

A. B. JENKINS, WM. MUssnR. 

